System and Method for Downloading Electronic Information to a Video Lottery

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to reprogramming of in-circuit programmable chips  installed in video lottery terminals (VLTs) by downloading electronic information (software) to such chips. Encrypted electronic information is downloaded from a host device to a gaming terminal through a communications link. The terminal comprises a decryption component configured for decrypting the encrypted electronic information using at least two security keys, at least one said key being resident in the terminal and at least another said key being delivered to the terminal at the time of the downloading (the downloading facilitating a replacement of existing software in terminal with corresponding decrypted software obtained from decrypting the encrypted information). The encrypted information transmitted to the terminal comprises at least one next version key for later use by the decryption component in decrypting a next version of encrypted electronic information. The non-resident key may be provided to the terminal by means of an electronic plug-in security key or provided through a secure network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to reprogramming of video lottery terminals(VLTs) and particularly to reprogramming of in-circuit programmablechips installed within VLTs by downloading electronic information(software) to such chips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video lottery terminals comprise non-volatile memory (traditionally,using EPROMs) for storage of game applications, operating systems,graphics and audio information. Of course, it is important that theoperating system, game particulars and terminal configuration applicableto each VLT be maintained highly confidential in order to maintain theintegrity of the lottery function. In the past the storage devices(semiconductor EPROM chips) containing the confidential terminalsoftware were reprogrammed manually, on a terminal by terminal basis, byremoving the chips from an electronic board socket in which they wereinstalled, inserting them into a programmer device which reprogrammedthem and then reinstalling the reprogrammed chips into the sockets ofthe electronic board. However, this method is labour intensive (costlyin both time and money) and is subject to security failures throughunauthorized copying and replacement of the storage chips.

More recently, newer package Flash™ technology has made availablein-circuit programmable storage devices, referred to as Flash™ EEPROMchips, which can be programmed (and reprogrammed) without the use of aprogrammer by providing extra logic inside the chips which enablesin-circuit reprogramming. These in-circuit reprogrammable chips aresoldered directly to the logic card inside the VLT and, thus, are noteasily tampered with through removal and replacement with anunauthorized chip.

Downloading of software to a VLT according to the foregoing may be doneby remote or local downloading. Remote downloading achieves the deliveryof new software to a VLT from a host device which is not directlyconnected to the VLT but is instead linked to it by means of a networklink such as a wide area network (WAN) via a modem (analog, ISDN, etc.)or radio link. Such WAN-based systems are very dependent upon a widearea network controller referred to as the central site system. Theadvantages of remote downloading range from very low operating costs forthe customer, to higher reliability of the terminal, to better responsecapability to market needs. Local downloading achieves the downloadingof new software to a VLT by manually locating the software at eachterminal and downloading the software using a direct communications link(i.e. a serial link such as RS232 or Ethernet, optical link such asIrDA, or a parallel link which provides the advantage of high transferspeed).

Local downloading does not heavily depend on the central system in useand, like remote downloading, provides the basic advantage of loweredoperating costs for the customer (in that the chips do not have to bemanually erased, reprogrammed and inserted into logic boards), higherreliability of the terminal, and a gain in ability to respond in atimely manner to market needs. A further advantage provided by localdownloading, over remote downloading, is that the downloading operationcan be performed without regard to the central system in use (from thecentral system's point of view there is no difference between a localdownload and a traditional chip reprogramming by removal). Thedisadvantage, however, is that trained technicians must still be sent toeach machine to perform the upgrade.

The availability of means for achieving such local and remotedownloading advantageously offers increased potential for improvedsecurity to VLT operators but the actual ability to achieve improvedsecurity is thereby rendered dependent on the integrity and security ofthe downloading system itself. Accordingly, there is a need forproviding improved security to the downloading operation for downloadingsoftware to a VLT.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a system and methodfor downloading encrypted electronic information (software) from a hostdevice to a gaming terminal through a communications link between thehost device and the terminal (the downloading facilitating a replacementof electronic information stored in the terminal with correspondingdecrypted information obtained from decrypting the encryptedinformation). The terminal comprises a decryption component configuredfor decrypting the encrypted electronic information using at least twosecurity keys, at least one said key being resident in the terminal andat least another said key being delivered to the terminal at the time ofthe downloading. A host component is configured for transmitting theencrypted electronic information from the host device to the terminal,wherein the encrypted information comprises at least one next versionkey for later use by the decryption component in decrypting a nextversion of encrypted electronic information. A receiving component isconfigured for receiving the encrypted information by at the terminal.Delivery means is configured for delivering the said other key to theterminal at the time of the downloading.

The encrypted electronic information is in the form of packs and thecomprise a full set of files for updating the terminal's existingsoftware. The communications link may comprise a cable coupled toparallel ports of the host and terminal and the delivery means maycomprise an electronic security key, with the encrypted information alsothen comprising assigned bit information associated with a next versionelectronic key for later use in providing said other security key fordecrypting a next version of encrypted electronic information. The cableis preferably wired to provide crossed control lines and bidirectionalcommunications for data transfer.

Preferably the electronic security key is configured for providing meansfor decrypting an encrypted master reset component in the terminal. Theelectronic security key may also comprise information usable by theterminal to distinguish different electronic keys from each other.

Alternatively, the communications link may be a secure network (e.g. anethernet network) with the delivery of said other security key providedby means of such network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, byway of example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is schematic block diagram showing the structure of the data filepacks which are downloaded to a VLT in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the packet structureutilized by the host driver;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram showing steps performed by the client(VLT) for downloading packs in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a typical sequence of hostcomputer-client VLT commands occurring during downloading of packs; and,

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram for a cable linking a host PC andthe VLT for local downloading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present invention a high level of security fordownloading upgrade software files to a VLT is achieved by the followingmeans:

-   1. For both local and remote downloading, a full set of new release    software files are structured into “packs” (generally referred to    herein as electronic information) which are compressed and encrypted    before locating the packs for downloading by a host device (e.g.    computer);-   2. For both local and remote downloading, a security key required    for the encryption/decryption is located in the VLT in the existing    version of software to be upgraded (with two such keys being used in    the preferred embodiment described herein, both having been provided    to the VLT at the time of the previous installation when the    existing software version was installed), and another (different)    required security key is supplied to the VLT at the time of the    downloading session such that it is only when the encrypted    information is inside the VLT that it is decrypted and saved; and,-   3. For local downloading, the downloading link is made through a    parallel port cable between the downloading host (the external    computer) and the VLT and the other required security key (being a    third key in the preferred embodiment), not resident in the VLT, is    in the form of a solid-state security key (referred to herein as an    electronic key) which is physically coupled to the VLT prior to the    download session. For remote downloading, the new release software    packs are located in a host device which is remote from the VLT    (e.g. a site controller or even another network VLT) and downloaded    to the VLT through the Ethernet network.

The VLT saves all game application code, operating system modules,graphics and audio in individual, simple, unencrypted files. The filesystem allows loading of individual files, marking for deletion, openingnew files, writing to new files, as well as a defragmentation whichdefragments the file system to recover free space created when files aredeleted. A file is updated by deleting the old file and saving the newfile (and, possibly, recovering the deleted file space in the middle).However, since upgrade software seldom requires that all installed filesbe replaced, a download of a new version involves only the files whichmust be replaced. The downloading operation includes the step ofchoosing which files to replace based on their ages and checksums.

The basic form of security, for both remote and local downloading, isthe encryption of the information (i.e the files of the new releasesoftware) to be transferred to the VLT. For the preferred embodiment thegeneral type of encryption method chosen is called Triple-DES™ but anynumber of other suitable encryption algorithms, provided they areinherently secure, could instead be selected for use. Unlike the usualTriple-DES encryption process, which uses two encryption keys (aswell-known in the art, a key being a 56 bit number), the inventors applythree keys to the encryption process. Normally, data being encrypted viaTriple-DES has two keys (“A” and “B”) applied to it whereby a first key(“A”) encrypts the data using DES™ (i.e. single DES), then a second key(“B”) encrypts the result and then the first key (“A”) is applied again,such that the DES algorithm is performed three times but uses only twokeys. In the present invention three different keys are used, one foreach operation of the DES algorithm. This increases the effective numberof encryption bits from 112 to 168 and, because of spatial and timedifferences which are applied in locating the three keys and theirusage, a very high degree of security is provide to the downloadedrelease files and their proper installation within the VLT.

As illustrated by FIG. 1 the data to be encrypted is in the form of afull set of large files, each large file being composed of many smallerfiles grouped by date, which make up a software release for the VLT. Atypical release comprises up to ten of these large files, with theactual number of object, graphic and audio files normally numbering inthe hundreds. One of the source files of the set of large files for eachVLT software version is provided with the two security keys which willbe required to decrypt the next version and, for local downloadingcapability of the software, with assigned bit order and start pointinformation which will be required for local downloading to extract athird security key from an electronic plug-in key (and these keys andassigned bit order and start point information are stored with thesoftwareNLT source for future use). The large files are compressed priorto encryption and this is beneficial because it tends to randomize thedata to be encrypted. Encryption of the compressed files results in aset of new files, referred to herein as packs, which are very secure.Advantageously, by downloading these packs to a VLT a full set of newrelease software files are delivered to and installed in the VLT; notsimply a subset of files or partial files comprising differences betweenfiles. The three keys used to encrypt these packs are not disclosed tothe customer (client) and are closely guarded by the VLT source. Onlythe VLT source (and it authorized agents such as a testing lab) areprovided the particulars of these keys.

The packs must eventually be decrypted using the same method ofencryption. Thus, each and every VLT must know the three 56 bit keys tobe able to extract the original files for upgrade. The downloadingsystem of the invention locates two of the three keys needed to decrypta set of packs for a new version of software in the previous versioninstalled in the VLT. Advantageously, this avoids handling and generaldistribution of these two keys during an upgrade. The third key iseither extracted from a physical electronic key that is plugged into theVLT (using a known bit order assignment which was also located in thatprevious software version), if local downloading is performed, or iscommunicated to the VLT over a secure network link (a WAN), if remotedownloading is performed. Because two of the three keys are stored inthe previous version of the VLT software, a set of packs can only beused to upgrade a particular (predetermined) software version to anotherparticular (predetermined) version. Thus, in order to be able to upgradetwo different software versions resident in two different VLTs to acommon version, two different sets of packs must be created and used andany attempt to upgrade a software version using a set of packs that hasnot been made for upgrade of that version will fail (specifically, theupgrade software in the VLT will not attempt an upgrade at all). Thus,the present invention ensures that version upgrades are performed in acontrolled manner and a “rogue” (old) VLT cannot be upgraded to a newversion without there being an intention to do so by the VLT source.

Common to all central management systems is an ability to perform acalculation on the expected contents of any VLT's memory, to ask the VLTto do the same, and to then compare the result provided by the VLT tothat calculated by the system itself. Performing an upgrade bydownloading files differs from the situation where the chip is removed,reprogrammed and reinstalled in that the information stored bydownloading may not always be in the same order (e.g. file A may belocated after file B as compared to an ordering as “file A, file B” forthe chip removal/reprogram situation). Checksumming of non-contiguousfiles must be done in some standard order and, to do so, an image offiles in alphabetical order by filename is produced. All central systemsrequire an image upon which to perform a checksum calculation, and thatimage is made up of all of the alphabetically ordered files in the chip.Some markets do not require game-outcome determining files in the image,so images created for those market are made up of all executable filesin alphabetical order.

The image, when used by the central system, must not be encrypted so theimage must be manually encrypted, using different keys than those usedto encrypt the upgrade data (i.e. to maintain their security), and theimage decryption keys must be delivered in some way to the centralsystem supplier such as by mail, phone or secured email. Of course, theimage is the same for a given upgrade version regardless of therequirements of the encryption keys for the encrypted packs.

The download host device, used for local downloading in the preferredembodiment, is a laptop or desktop computer (PC) using a Windows NT orWindows 2000 operating system and running a parallel port driver andserver application which supplies the host-side of the communicationslink to the VLT. The standard PC parallel port is used in a mode calledECP (Enhanced Capabilities Port) in which DMA (Direct Memory Access)cycles can be performed and interrupts generated based on either DMAcompletion or signaling from a single line on the parallel port. Bothsources of interrupt are used in the special parallel port driver. Thedriver looks for signaling from the other end of the parallel port cable(the client-VLT driver), reads a number of bytes indicating packetinformation and length, sets up the DMA transfer, and waits for it tofinish. The host application gets the packets received by the driver,figures out what is being requested, and prepares new packet(s) to giveto the driver to send back to the client. The driver breaks largepackets up into smaller sub-packets, as and if required, to meet thehardware requirements of the DMA transfer mechanism. Furthermore, theapplication provides a user interface to watch the packets beingrequested by the client. The download host (being the combination of thedriver and the application) does not have any encryption/decryptionability and acts as a simple server of files. FIG. 2 is a schematicblock diagram illustrating the packet structure utilized by the hostdriver.

The download client consists of a driver and application in the VLT andacts as the master in the download link. For local downloading theclient driver also uses the parallel port in the VLT in it's ECP mode(like the host) so that DMA transfers and interrupts can be used. Theclient driver is specially configured to recognize an electronicsecurity key (i.e. the physical, plug-in security key used for localdownloading which is commonly known to persons in the art as a “dongle”)and extract from the bit stream generated by the electronic key thethird required decryption key. This is done using the assigned bit orderinformation which is resident in the existing software version and wasprovided with it. Upon power-up, the client driver looks for any key,and if both the correct key for the application and version of softwareare detected, a downloading cycle is permitted to start. If no key isdetected, or if a key is detected but it is not the correct key for thesoftware version or market, the client driver and application fordownloading do not continue to run but normal operation of the VLT doescommence. FIG. 3 shows, in flow chart form, the steps performed by theclient for the downloading of packs. FIG. 4 shows a typical sequence ofhost computer-client VLT commands occurring during downloading of packs.

The client driver is able to send and receive sub-packets ofinformation, assemble them into packets, and pass these packets to theclient application (i.e. when receiving). The client application is ableto create packets for requesting files, for sending information and forreceiving files. The files that are received are the packs previouslydescribed, which are encrypted, so it is also necessary that the clientapplication (i.e. the application in the VLT) be able to decrypt thepack and extract the files necessary to update the code, graphics andaudio of the VLT.

When the download of information is complete, the VLT performs a masterreset, resets itself, and restarts. Because the downloaded software thenrequires a different key for any further download, another downloadingcycle is not started. Therefore, the game application commences to playas if no downloading cable, or key, were present. Where the upgrade hasbeen performed by a local download the VLT requires a power cycle torestart. If a remote download is used the VLT will reset itself, bootthe new software, and execute it and a subsequent checksum of the memorywill result in the correct value expected by the central system.

The parallel link cable used for local downloading to transferinformation between the host (the computer) and the client (the VLT) isspecially wired as a parallel crossover cable. The parallel data linesare straight, but the control signals are crossed over to permit thehardware of the ECP parallel port to perform correctly. The wiring issimilar to Microsoft's CE™ link cable except that, as illustrated byFIG. 5, a couple of pairs are cross-linked to permit interrupt usebetween packets and, thereby, maintain polling-free operation of thedriver.

The electronic security key (comprised of both hardware and software),used for local downloading, allows the downloading to execute andprovides a part of the information (i.e. the bit stream from which thethird security is extracted) required to decrypt the the packs beingdownloaded. This security key is physically plugged into the VLT'sparallel port and the download cable is plugged into the key. Unless thecorrect electronic key is in position communications on the downloadcable will not commence. The electronic security key has a signaturethat is checked by the VLT's parallel port download driver to determineif it is the correct key for the software version existing in the VLT.It also has some secure memory, which can be set (by the customer) to acode that the downloading client looks for. This gives the client theability to distinguish between electronic keys used for differentsoftware versions. As stated, the key extracted from the electronicsecurity key is one of the three keys required for use by the decryptionprocess in the client application and, advantageously, this means thatone of the keys required for successful decryption of the downloadinformation never resides in the VLT.

A master reset function is used to initialize all game state andaccounting information to a known starting point. Advantageously, theelectronic security key is also used as the trigger for a full masterreset. If this key has the proper signature, and the secure programmablememory has the correct code for the version of software, it allows thedownload tool to do a master reset without downloading any new code,graphics or audio. The master reset code is saved as a file, but unlikeall other files, it is encrypted in the same manner as the packs whichare sent to the VLT over the download link. The encrypted code residesin the VLT, waiting to be decrypted and executed. In addition toallowing this master reset code to run, the electronic security key alsoprovides the third key required to decrypt the code and this offersadded protection against unauthorized master resetting of the data inthe VLT.

The specific steps performed for locally downloading new releasesoftware differ from those required for remote downloading but theirmechanisms are essentially the same. Both types of downloading performthe following common steps:

-   1. Packs are created by means of three keys, two from the previous    version of software (chosen at that time), and one to be delivered    to the VLT at the time of the download.-   2. An image of the new release is created for central use, encrypted    via three other keys, chosen immediately.-   3. In practice, an independent, secure testing lab repeats steps 1    and 2 to provide a security check for the operations of the download    source.-   4. The packs and the image file are delivered (emailed, surface    mailed on CD) to the customer (the security level of the medium used    for this being unimportant since a very high level of security is    provided by the foregoing encryption method of the present invention    which renders the decryption keys highly secure).-   5. For local downloading, the packs are put into a laptop computer    which is taken to the field location of a VLT and the packs are    loaded into the VLT.-   6. For remote downloading, the packs are put into a central site    computer, downloaded over a WAN to a VLT through a site controller    or directly to a VLT (and all VLTs at that site are updated    therefrom).-   7. The image is installed in the central site computer for checksum    verification purposes.

A. Local Downloading

Local downloading requires a storage device that can hold the packs forat least one version upgrade and a laptop (the host) is used by theinventors for this purpose (with Windows NT or Windows 2000 installedtherein). The host driver sends, at the VLT's request, whatever packfile is needed. As stated, the communications protocol used by the hostdriver corresponds to that of the client driver contained in the VLTexcept that it is written for the Windows operating system. The hostdriver's functionality is limited in that it only supplies files. Thehost does not have the ability to ask for files from the VLT or todecrypt the pack files.

Use of the ECP mode of the parallel ports of the host computer and VLTpermits high performance data transferring through the use ofinterrupts, DMA transfers and FIFOs, all contained in the hardware ofthe parallel port. The ECP mode of the port also allows effectivebi-directional communications, and this ability is exploited in thetransfer of information. The parallel port was selected for use in thisembodiment because of its relative speed advantage, but the sameprotocol can be used over any link, whether it be RS232 serial,Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet or any other point-to-pointcommunications setup (in which case it would be necessary only to changethe lowest level hardware driver upon which the protocol software layersmay execute on an “as is” basis).

Electronic security key access occurs before any communication transfersoccur such that the electronic key acts as a gate to allow localdownloading. The VLT queries the parallel port as soon as the basicdrivers and operating system are loaded. The driver for the parallelport is a part of the basic subset of drivers required to start the VLTand it allows access to the electronic key without affecting theoperation of the download host notwithstanding that they share the samecommunications lines (the electronic key plugs into the VLTs parallelport before the download cable is plugged into the electronic key). Ifthe VLT does not find an electronic key, or if an electronic key isfound but it is the wrong key for the particular version of softwareexisting in that VLT, the process is aborted and the game starts upnormally (even if a host computer is plugged in).

if a host computer is not connected, the client application stillqueries for an electronic key and uses it instead to single-DES decryptRAM Clear code which executes and initiates performance of a masterreset. The VLT must then be powered off, the electronic key removed andthe VLT powered back on, and the game then starts normally. Also, if thefirst pack downloaded does not decrypt properly, the downloading processis aborted and game play starts.

In addition to being a decryption key required for downloading a newversion of software and used for decrypting the RAM Clear code, theelectronic key holds a programmable version number that is used todistinguish the version that different keys in the same market areconfigured for. This means that a customer can securely reprogram only asingle key to allow a given software version (“X”) to be RAM Cleared orupgraded to a different version (“Y”). If the electronic key is notprogrammed for the correct version it will not allow RAM Clear, ordownloading, to occur even though it may hold the correct decryptionkey. Advantageously, this allows a customer to maintain more controlover the keys that it distributes to its technicians.

The communications link is configured according to the ISO(International Standards Organization) software model which specifies apyramidal approach to software design, the top section comprising theapplication layer, the middle section comprising presentation andsession layers and the bottom section comprising transport, network,link and physical layers. The client (VLT) software is based on threefiles as follows. The first file contains all of the hardware-specificparallel port code for transmitting small (up to 60 kB) packets andrepresents the bottom of the ISO pyramid (i.e. the physical throughtransport layers). The second file corresponds to the second layer ofthe pyramid and comprises code that collects packets from the bottomlayer (through messaging) and assembles them into messages according thewell-known, conventional programming procedures. This file isresponsible for verifying that there were no transmission errors, and ifthere were, for requesting the same information or resending the sameinformation again. When a full, valid message has been received or sent,it notifies the application (being the next layer up) of this throughmessaging. The application file (the top layer) uses the messages, whichmight contain a pack or a directive, and sends messages back across thelink. All three file layers communicate via messaging so that if onelayer must change the next layer up does not need to change accordingly.Therefore, if the physical medium changes only the bottom layer must bemodified.

According to well known programming procedure, each layer exists as aseparate state machine. The first state machine (designated “PARPORT”)is the lowest ISO level. This machine (and the presentation machine) isduplicated in both the client and host. The link when using the parallelport is a half-duplex communications medium which means that both endsof the link cannot speak at the same time. Because no arbitrationhardware is used the protocol must ensure that control of the line ispassed back and forth properly and this is achieved by giving control tothe client (VLT) to speak first. Once the client starts communicationscontrol is passed back and forth between the client and host.

All communications are broken up into sequenced packets, sized 60 kB orless. Furthermore, the protocol used allows one end of the link torepeatedly send packets without needing to pass control to the other endbut, eventually, control is passed back to find out if there was afailure or error in transmission, and to give control to the other endfor transmission. As indicated above, the cable connecting the VLT tothe PC is made up of a series of crossed control lines—by crossing thecontrol lines communications from either end can be done symmetrically.The cable is wired as shown in FIG. 5 in which two pairs of lines(STB-ACK and AFD-BUSY) perform the byte-by-byte transfer under hardwarecontrol from the ECP port. As bytes are sent to the parallel port theinformation is transferred automatically by the port hardware. Two pairsof lines (the INIT-ERR crossed pair and the SLIN-PE crossed pair)perform all protocol flow control and are controlled by the driver undersoftware control, although the ERR input can cause a hardware interruptin both the VLT and PC (used by driver).

If, at any time, both ends of the link try to talk at the same time anelectrical contention results, causing a possible hardware failure. Incase a fatal error occurs, the cable comprises 120 ohm resistors inseries with each data line so as to prevent electrical damage.

The second of the client layers (the presentation layer) performs errorchecking and packet assembly. A send cycle is followed by a receivecycle, which is followed by a send cycle, and so on, and multiplepackets are received (or sent) at one time, without a switch indirection. A checksum verification is done after all packets of amessage (which could be a file) have been received.

The top-level client software (the application) does not receive anynotification that there has been a transmission or reception error andall resending or requesting for resend is done in transport layer tosimplify the application level.

When a message (e.g. a file) is sent it is broken up into smaller chunkscalled packets (as the message is passed down from the application,through the transport layer, onto the link layer it is cut up intomanageable pieces).

As shown in FIG. 2 the application layer passes a full message to thetransport layer where it is augmented with a header which addsinformation such as a command, the length of the entire message, aheader checksum and a message checksum. The transport layer divides upthe message (now with a header) into sendable packets, all less than60kB. Each packet is provided with another piece of information, addedbefore transmission, to indicate the sequence of that packet (this beingused by the receiving end to reassemble the packets in a proper order).The highest layer, the application layer, consists of commands torequest data, transfer information, and send/receive status data.

The following is a summary of the commands available to the applicationlayer:

REQUEST FILE Send request from VLT to host for a file of name nnnn SENDFILE Send a file from the VLT to the host of name nnnn THANKS Positiveacknowledgement from VLT to host NAK Negative acknowledgement from VLTto host TOMBSTONE Send VLT-specific information from VLT to host GOODBYEBreak link from VLT to host LOG Send information from VLT to be put inlog file STATUS Send information from VLT to be put in status barPROGRESS Send information from VLT to be put in progress barThese commands are available only to the VLT and represent the onlycommands that can be issued. The host PC cannot send a file on its own;it can only send a file in response to a Request File command receivedfrom the VLT. The last three of the foregoing commands viz. Log, Statusand Progress are local download-specific commands for the user interfaceon the host computer. (Therefore, they are not used for remotedownloading). Also, the Tombstone command is not used for remotedownloading.

B. Remote Downloading

The primary differences between local and remote downloading fall intothe following three categories:

-   1. No electronic security key is needed for the third decryption    key.-   2. The lowest level of the communications protocol changes from    parallel port signalling to TCP/IP over Ethernet (10 Mbps or 100    Mbps). That is, the application layer is equivalent to that of the    local downloading software but the two lower levels are replaced by    Ethernet TCP/IP link and transport layers.-   3. The packs are held in a temporary location being either a site    controller or one of the VLTs in the local area network.

Instead of using an electronic security key, the remote downloadingmethod provides the third encryption key to the client by means of asecure transmission achieved by passing the key, encrypted with aprevious floating key, over the site communications protocol. This siteprotocol is a different protocol dealing with accounting, gameenrolling, etc., upon which the downloading of packs can occur and thefloating key is provided as a function of the site protocol. The siteprotocol includes facilities for starting a download session. Like thelocal download process, the following steps are directed to the VLTrequesting packs, using them, restarting itself and continuing on.

The difference in the communications links means changing from adedicated, point-to-point link over a parallel port to communicationsover a TCP/IP local area network. Since the physical medium protocol isalready defined in the TCP/IP specification, no extra coding is providedn the VLT. The VLT remains responsible for assembling packets intomessages (in the transport layer, usually less than 4 kB per packet)and, otherwise, the process is the same as for local downloading.

The third difference refers to the device in which the new releaseresides. No PC (laptop) is required for remote downloading but a deviceis required to hold the release; this device may be the site controlleror one of the VLTs. The method of getting the release to the sitecontroller or VLT depends on the wide area network link, which may be ananalog modem, a digital modem (ISDN), or a faster Internet link.

The individual electronic and processing functions utilised in theforegoing described preferred embodiment are, individually, wellunderstood by those skilled in the art. It is to be understood by thereader that a variety of other implementations may be devised by skilledpersons for substitution. Persons skilled in the field of communicationdesign will be readily able to apply the present invention to anappropriate implementation method for a given application.

Consequently, it is to be understood that the particular embodimentshown and described herein by way of illustration is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention claimed by the inventors which isdefined by the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A gaming terminal comprising: a memory configuredto store an encrypted master reset component; a receiving componentconfigured to receive a non-resident security key; a decryptingcomponent is configured to decrypt the encrypted master reset componentinto a decrypted master reset component; and a processor configured toreset the gaming terminal to an initial state by executing the decryptedmaster reset component and effecting a master reset of the gamingterminal.
 22. The gaming terminal of claim 21, further comprising: aninterface configured to receive the non-resident security key from aremovable storage.
 23. The gaming terminal of claim 21, furthercomprising: a communications link in communication with the receivingcomponent, the encrypted master reset component received over thecommunications link before being stored in memory.
 24. The gamingterminal of claim 21, wherein the decrypting component is furtherconfigured to decrypt an encrypted electronic information with at leastthe non-resident security key and a resident security key.
 25. Thegaming terminal of claim 21, wherein the receiving component is furtherconfigured to receive a non-resident security key identifier, whereinthe non-resident security key identifier identifies the gaming terminalto be reset.
 26. The gaming terminal of claim 21, wherein the processoris configured to extract the non-resident security key from a receivedbit stream using a known bit order assignment.
 27. The gaming terminalof claim 21, wherein the initial state includes a game state and anaccounting state.
 28. A method for resetting a gaming terminalcomprising: receiving a non-resident security key at the gamingterminal; decrypting an encrypted master reset component with thereceived non-resident security key into a decrypted master resetcomponent, wherein the encrypted master reset component is stored in thegaming terminal; and resetting the gaming terminal to an initial stateby executing the decrypted master reset component to effect a masterreset of the gaming terminal.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thenon-resident security key is received from a removable storage removablyattached to the gaming terminal.
 30. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising: receiving the encrypted master reset component over acommunications link.
 31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:decrypting an encrypted electronic information with at least thenon-resident security key and a resident security key.
 32. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising: verifying a non-resident security keyidentifier before decrypting the encrypted master reset component. 33.The method of claim 28, further comprising: extracting the non-residentsecurity key from a received bit stream using a known bit orderassignment.
 34. The method of claim 28, wherein the initial stateincludes a game state and an accounting state.